This is what the Bible’s terrifying ‘end of the world’ predictions and apocalyptic verses REALLY mean
A BIBLICAL scholar has stepped forward to explain the REAL meaning of the Good Book's apocalyptic verses amid fears the end of the world is nigh.
Some Christians have used passages from the holy tome to predict the start of the Rapture - when all believers will rise into the sky and join Christ for eternity - will take place this week.
Methodist conspiracy theorist David Meade has tied in biblical stories with the movement of the stars and planets to state earth will go into self-destruct mode on October 15.
He predicts seven years of nuclear attacks and hurricanes will destroy the planet - triggered by the arrival of a mysterious Planet X.
Now the Church has come out to explain what the bible's passages really mean.
The Reverend Dr Ian Paul, a member of the council which advises the leadership of the Church of England, said the prediction was a “complete misconception”.
Revelation 12
Chapter 12 of the New Testament book of Revelation – known as The Woman and the Dragon – is the best known passage about the Apocalypse.
In the story the woman gives birth to a male child (Jesus) that is attacked by the Dragon identified as the Devil.
When the child is taken to heaven, the woman flees into the wilderness leading to "War in Heaven" in which the angels cast out the Dragon.
The Dragon attacks the woman, who is given wings to escape, and then attacks her again with a flood of water from his mouth, which is subsequently swallowed by the earth.
In frustration the dragon initiates an all-out war on the followers of Christ.
David Meade – and many other Christian soothsayers – claim this “great sign in heaven” matched the position of the stars and planets on September 23, 2017.
He alleged the red dragon referred to a mysterious planet called Nibiru, which would appear in our skies and causing havoc.
Some believers claim Nibiru – also known as Planet X – has appeared and even provided photos and video to prove it.
Meade has now tweaked his prediction to say the Rapture will begin in October 2017.
But Rev Dr Ian Paul said the prediction was a “misconception”.
He told : “This is not a plausible reading of Revelation 12. The plot of a dragon wanting to consume a child, who in the end defeats him, comes from the Greek myth of Python pursuing Leto who gives birth to Apollo.
“In other words, this is about the birth of Jesus bringing an end to the suffering of his exiled people by defeating Satan – their enemy and accuser."
2. Luke 21
In Luke, chapter 21, verse 10 and 11 Jesus describes how Christians "will know" when the end of the world is imminent.
He said: “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.”
Some have linked these worrying words to recent world events including hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Jose and Maria and the threat of a nuclear war between North Korea and the US.
However, Dr Paul said Jesus was actually predicting the Roman destruction of the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem.
Dr Paul told us: “In Luke 21, Jesus’ words have clearly been understood by Luke to refer to the destruction of the temple by the Romans in AD70.
“He refers to ‘Jerusalem surrounded by armies’ in Luke 21.20, and after the mention of ‘signs in the sun, moon and stars’ in verse 25, goes on to say emphatically ‘Amen, I tell you this generation will not pass away until all these things have happened.’
“Luke records Jesus exact words in Aramaic here by using ‘Amen’ – showing that it was important to both Jesus and Luke, who was writing after the fall of Jerusalem, that all this referred to things in his own generation.”
3. Isaiah 13
Other doomsayers quote the Old Testament book of Isaiah, Chapter 13, verses nine to 10 which read: “The Day of the LORD is coming - a cruel day, with wrath and fierce anger - to make the land desolate and destroy the sinners within it.
“The Stars of Heaven and their constellations will not show their light. The rising Sun will be darkened and the Moon will not give its light.”
Meade linked this to the rare solar eclipse which was witnessed over the US in August this year.
